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If you haven’t heard of the names Nick Powell, Will Keane, Jesse Lingard, Saidy Janko, Andreas Pereira Tyler Blackett, Paddy McNair or James Wilson, you’d better start brushing up as these lads are Manchester United’s current crop of promising youngsters.
Many of them have already put on the famous red jersey for the first team, and could very well be an Old Trafford legend in the making. However, they stand to be challenged by a fresh bunch of youngsters waiting in the wings, eager to surpass the achievements of their peers.
Who are these talented next gen youngsters, some of whom helped the club win the Premier Reserve League, waiting to make their Old Trafford bow? Let’s find out.
Timothy Fosu Mensah
The youngster’s arrival at Old Trafford was overshadowed by Louis Van Gaal’s £150 Million signings last summer, but that didn’t stop the Dutchman from shining. Fosu Mensah has garnered rave reviews for his performances for United’s Under-18 side, and was so impressive that he’ll almost certainly be playing for the Under-21’s next season.
The 17-year-old, who is a product of Ajax’s famed youth academy, excels as a centre back and currently captains the Netherlands U-17s, whom he famously led to a 7-0 victory over England this February.
There are high hopes for this young gun who has a good chance of being a mainstay in the Manchester United first team in the future. Timothy Fosu Mensah, remember the name!
Ashley Fletcher
It looks like James Wilson will have some serious competition for the title of Manchester United’s best young striker if this young lad has anything to say about it. Pace, finishing, as well as a lethal eye for goal are some of the qualities that Fletcher possesses which are all the qualities of a great striker.
After scoring regularly for the Under 18 side, as well as putting in strong performances for his team in the UEFA Youth League, Fletcher received a well-deserved promotion to the Under 21’s where he’s formed a lethal partnership with fellow prospect James Wilson.
The 19-year-old is an extremely versatile player too and has played on the left wing on a few occasions where his pace has caused nightmares for fellow defenders. As luck would have it, Van Gaal finds himself short of striking options so it won’t be a shock if this talented striker makes a few appearances next season.
Callum Gribbin
Another Manchester United youngster who has been tipped for greatness is 16-year-old Callum Gribbin. The hugely talented youngster was making waves in the club’s youth academy when he was relatively unknown to the outside world.
But all hat changed when Manchester United’s Twitter account posted a video of Gribbin showing some serious skills against Aston Villa where he single handedly beat four defenders much like a certain George Best. Judging by the video one can say that Gribbin possesses some serious pace and dribbling skills, which he uses to create havoc against the opposition. Further development will surely propel him to great heights.
Gribbin’s skills against Aston Villa is worth a watch:
Marcus Rashford
Another goalscoring youngster who’s rated highly among the Manchester United youth coaches is Marcus Rashford. The Manchester born youngster is capable of operating as a striker as well as a playmaker and has led the line for the Under-18’s on numerous occasions.
Some of Rashford’s best qualities are his pace, ball controlling abilities, versatility and of course, his keen eye for goals. In fact, the youngster’s abilities were so promising that a number of Premier League clubs including Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea all tried to prise him away from Old Trafford.
Of course being a United fan, the thought of departure never even occurred to Rashford who continues to hone his skills with the hope of making it into the first team someday.
Demetri Mitchell
Manchester United have always had a good reputation of developing wingers and the latest one to roll off that long production line is Demetri Mitchell. The pacy 17-year-old uses his speed to the fullest and was part of the England Under-17 squad that lifted the European Championship last year.
Mitchell has performed superbly at club level too and scored a great goal against Bayern Munich in the UEFA Youth League back in 2013. The teenager confessed that one of his role models is Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney, whose style he continuously tries to replicate.
Let’s hope the youngster, who is expected to feature more heavily for the Under-21s this year, manages to reach the same heights as United’s current number 10.
